Committees

Public Policy Committee

Committee chair: Jon Alexander

Committee purpose: To track and influence state (and national) policy on employment for people with disabilities.

Committee’s current strategic objectives: 

  1. Collaborate to drive systems change to better outcomes for employment of people with disabilities
  2. Continue to monitor public policy issues including rates, definitions for services, schools, and data (6790’s)

Conference Committee

Committee chairs: Jon Alexander

Committee purpose: To coordinate a state-wide conference around Minnesota’s needs for employment first information.

Committee’s current strategic objectives: Our goals are to:

  1. Hold an annual conference to help advance competitive, integrated employment and support providers developing these services. 

Communications Committee

Committee chairs: Dana Eisfeld and Chris Davies

Committee purpose: The MN APSE Communications Committee works to promote and amplify the Employment First message across Minnesota. The committee supports the visibility of the chapter’s work by sharing information, highlighting initiatives, and helping other MN APSE committees communicate their activities, resources, and impact with members, partners, and the broader community.

Committee’s current strategic objectives: The current strategic objectives of the Communications Committee are to:

  1. Send monthly email communications to our contact list.
  2. Record and publish eight podcasts annually on YouTube and audio platforms.
  3. Collaborate with and support other MN APSE committees.
  4. Grow our social media audience through consistent, meaningful content on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
  5. Maintain an accessible website that clearly communicates MN APSE’s mission, activities, and resources.

Youth Engagement

Committee co-chair: Brian Begin and Chris Davies

Committee purpose: To engage and empower youth with disabilities and their families through a coordinated network of educators, providers, and employers, expanding access to employment services and real‑world work experiences that support competitive, integrated employment 

Training and Mentoring Committee

Committee chairs: Larissa Laramee and Chris Marble

Committee purpose: The MN APSE Training and Mentoring Committee exists to coordinate, develop, and promote training and mentorship opportunities that enhance professional competencies, support continuous learning, and improve the quality of services provided to Minnesotans.

Committee’s current strategic objectives: 

  1. Hold bi-monthly lunch and learn sessions to help DSP’s provide high quality services 
  2. Explore avenues for offering enhanced rates for CESP’s
  3. Research CESP requirements in other states and increase that went along with that
  4.  Explore mentorships opportunities for ESP’s and CESP’s